It was not immediately clear what caused the 40-year-old Minneapolis bridge to break into several large sections and fall into the river 20 meters below. There has been construction work on the bridge for the last several weeks, and the Department of Homeland Security said there was no indication of terrorism.
Television footage showed numerous cars in and around the wreckage of the collapsed bridge. Emergency and fire teams worked to rescue people from the water and those who were stranded on parts of the bridge that were not completely in the water.
A hospital official in Minneapolis told reporters that at least one person died from drowning. He said at least one child was among the 28 wounded at his hospital, and six people were critically injured.
Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters. - Source: VOA News
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Minneapolis Bridge Collapse Help Informaion
Bridge Collapse Contact Information
The Red Cross Family Inquiry Line is 612-871-7676. A family assistance center has been established at the Holiday Inn Metrodome, 1500 Washington Ave. South.
Families looking for information about family members at Hennepin County Medical Center should call 612-873-3400.
The next media update will be held on Thursday, Aug. 2, at 7:30 a.m. on the lawn at the corner of Park Ave. and 8th Street.